Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jon Otorhongo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jon, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
My commitment to take risks, pursue my life dreams, my passions, comes from a deep knowing that there is no other way. Playing it small is NOT an option in my life.
I know that fears are the main reason that dreams get buried in the cemetery. This life is so short and I will not go to my grave without giving it my all. I know in my heart that I am here to serve a big mission. One beyond me. One that has bestowed upon me by The Great Spirit.
In addition to that, I’ve had experiences in my plant medicine healing journey where I’ve experienced death. Multiple times. Every single time served as a wake up call that reminded me of the fragility of life, what’s important, and why it’s an absolute must to share my passions, my heart, and my medicine with the world.
If I encounter fear, which comes at times, I always return to my true North and remember my Why. The risks I take are not to serve my ego, but to serve others and to serve my mission.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My personal brand OTORHONGO (Otorongo + Hongo = Otorhongo. Otorongo means Jaguar in Quechua and Hongo means mushroom in Spanish) Otorhongo is the convergence of them both. My brand includes my mentorship, my music, and my retreats. I am currently launching my flagship program, FORGED. FORGED is not an ordinary mentorship, it’s an Initiation in Leadership. One thing I’ve learned is that men in our world are lacking initiations. Not just into manhood, but into leadership. This used to be part of life in indigenous tribes/communities. Since we’ve disconnected from this sacred way of life, boys are never initiated into manhood which leads boyhood patterns to remain and many men age, but never fully mature. Many men fear their power, their potential, and success itself.
FORGED exists to initiate men into pressure-tested leadership so that they can serve at elite level. This is for men who have vision. Men who’ve already built things either in the past or currently, but their ideas and potential is not matching their execution. This initiatory container is 3 months long but will eventually move into a 6 and 12 month container. I use my background in Psychology ( I have my master’s degree) and my years of experience as a therapist, and my personal experience with overcoming fears, self-doubt, and hiding from my potential, my years of attending and leading retreats/ceremonies, and weave it into a potent program that is meant to challenge men and strip away patterns that do not serve their potential and match their vision with their standards and execution. FORGED is open now for the first beta round and the next 4 men will receive 50% off for the Founder’s Rate. This program is meant to Forge men into capable leaders that are able to hold pressure, responsibility, leadership, without collapsing. So that men no longer hesitate in the face of fear or overwhelm. The world needs strong, heart-centered leaders, and FORGED is here to shape these men into them. I am also a musician which is an essential element of my brand and programs. My music is born from the heart. I sing for peace, for healing, and to spread a message of hope and possibility. My retreats include music as a way to form connections, community, and celebrate the magic of life itself. My first single should be releasing this summer.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Courage is the foundation of it all. If we can be courageous in our lives, we will be able to take the necessary risks to create what we want to create. If we are courageous, we can step into creator consciousness and live from a place of empowerment rather than fear and victimhood. With courage, we can become Introspective and look at ourselves in ways that seem confronting, but are meant to be confronting so that we liberate ourselves from illusions and untruths.
By being Introspective, we can develop awareness about ourselves, our patterns, our beliefs, etc. so that we can make changes that align our beliefs and actions with our deepest values. Introspection allows us to first determine what it is we believe in and what we will die for. When that’s clear, we can act in alignment with what we believe.
Embodiment is where it all comes together. It’s one thing to intellectually understand something, it’s a completely different level to EMBODY it. When we are fully embodied in what we teach or preach, then it will feel authentic to others. If we don’t embody and fully live what we are teaching, there will be a disconnect and people will feel it.
My advice for anyone looking to develop or improve on these qualities is to be a walking practice of it all. Become intentional with self- improvement. Develop practices, rituals, and seek mentors that will sharpen you. Develop a practice of taking courageous actions, looking inward and evaluating yourself. Hire people who have been where you are and invest in yourself. Investing in yourself is one of the best things you can do. We can’t do this alone, we need guidance and mentorship.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is a deeply devoted, passionate man. He lives to serve the world. He is multi-talented, multi-passionate. He is a leader, a change-maker, a visionary builder that is here to serve at the highest level. He is highly capable, highly intelligent but his vision doesn’t match his execution. He is someone who knows he’s meant to serve at the highest level; someone who is meant to build bridges, birth communities, programs, etc…but he struggles with executing consistently. He hesitates when pressure rises and the stakes increase.
He knows deep in his bones that his execution isn’t matching his potential. At the end of the day, he doesn’t fear failure, he fears success and what it would really mean if it all worked out. He is someone who would benefit greatly from having a man hold him to his highest standards and vision. Someone that will challenge him, tell him the truth, and meet him where he needs to be met. Someone that would be an ideal client is someone who is open to be challenged and who is also deeply motivated to do whatever it takes to succeed. It’s someone who values mentorship, investing in themselves, and someone who is willing to act courageously in the face of fear.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://otorhongo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jon_otorhongo/
Image Credits
mckinsey jordan
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